In these uncertain economic times, we certainly indentify with one of the classic observations of American humorist, Will Rogers. The return of my money concerns me more than the return on my money!
Here, however, the Teacher seems vitally concerned with the return on His money. The one talent man faithfully returns all the money His master entrusted to Him. But the master is not pleased!
Why? Because of the lost interest!
Of course this parable is not really about money. The Teacher is talking about how it is in the kingdom of heaven. And the main idea is that we are all trustees of everything God has given us and we will one day be called to account.
Everything we have - our talents, our time, our opportunities to do good, our money, indeed our very lives – are on loan from God. And the Master expects us to turn this into some eternal profit!
The one talent man is condemned because he is a lousy trustee. He buries the talent, squanders the potential for making any increase for the Master.
Why did he do it? He says because he was afraid. The Master says he was wicked and lazy.
Who do you think is right? Could they both be right?
And how do we reconcile the fact we are saved by grace with the idea that as trustees we must give an account for lost interest on gifts entrusted to us?
I have heard people use this parable as an excuse - "you see, some people are given many, but I'm just a one talent man."
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many talents the master gives, he expects them to be put to use.
However, there may be a misunderstanding with the idea of a "one talent man." While it was only "1" talent, it was a significant sum. One note had that a talent was worth $1000.00, then think of the decline of the dollar in recent years and inflation - it would probably be worth more today!
So thinking one can diminish their responsibility by claiming to be a "one talent man" is a mistake in thinking in many ways. One talent would still be a great sum of abilities to put to work for the Master.
I am convinced we are blessed with more talents than we realize - and those talents come with responsibility.
As the teacher mentioned:
We need to be about our Father's business!